Bhojpuri actor Pawan Singh, who is known for his popular song ‘Lagavelu Lipstick,’ is receiving social media backlash after inappropriately touching actress Anjali Raghav at a stage event.
On Saturday, Anjali Raghav, who is known for her work in Haryanvi music videos, responded to the viral videos on her Instagram handle, citing Pawan Singh for the misconduct. She also stated she will not go back to doing Bhojpuri films.
In the video post, Anjali, stated that since the video was posted, she has been anxious and has felt bombarded with messages telling her to say something. People have been asking her why she chose to smile instead of hitting him or doing something on stage.
What’s Going On
1. Both were promoting their new song ‘Saiya Seva Kare’. Anjali condemned Pawan Singh’s actions and said she wouldn’t work in Bhojpuri cinema any more.
2. She explained that since the video came out, she has been upset and has been inundated with messages about why she didn’t speak out on stage.
3. Some people asked why she didn’t react in the moment or slap him, others said she was laughing and smiling during the ordeal.
4. On Saturday, Anjali shared videos condemning Pawan Singh for inappropriately touching her.
5. She said, “I have been very worried for the last two days. I keep receiving DMs asking why I didn’t say anything, why I didn’t take action, why I didn’t slap him. Some people are even blaming me, writing in memes, ‘She was smiling, enjoying it.’ Would I feel happy or enjoy it if someone touched me in public without my consent?”
6. She then explained what had gone through her mind at the time. While addressing the audience on stage, Pawan pointed at her waist and remarked that something was stuck there. “I realised my saree was new and maybe the tag at the bottom was showing, or even the blouse tag could be visible. I laughed it off, thinking it could be adjusted later. That’s why I smiled and continued speaking to the audience,” she said.
“I Got Angry And Even Cried”
Anjali recalled that when Pawan insisted again, she assumed something really was stuck. “Later, when I asked my team member if something was there, they said nothing was. That’s when I felt very bad, I got angry, and even cried. But at that moment, I didn’t know what to do,” she said.
She revealed she had intended to confront him off stage, however Pawan left the venue quite soon after making his reels. The next day, she got home and realised how bad the controversy had become.
Anjali said she was told by others not to post anything because Pawan Singh’s PR team was “very strong” and could turn it against her. At first, she was hoping that it would just tip off and go away in a day or two, but it only got bigger.
Speaking quite assertively against the incident she said, “I absolutely do not support touching any girl without her permission. It is wrong in the first place. And to touch someone in this way is beyond wrong. If the same thing had happened in Haryana, I wouldn’t even have had to respond. The public there would have responded themselves. But I was in Lucknow, not my own place.”
Concluding her statement, Anjali added, “I will not work in the Bhojpuri industry anymore. As an artist, I do feel like trying new things, but I am happy with my family and my work in Haryana.”
